Celebrating Success Around the World
Templer Ten
The Templar Ten is a relatively flat multi-terrain 10 mile run in Newton Abbott, run mostly on scenic fields and trails, which proved to be a highly successful outing for AVR. Matt Clist was first to finish for AVR, 4th overall and first in his age category in 59:21. Hot on his heels were Joel Seward (5th, 1:00.37) and Richard Hardy (6th, 1:01.28) who was also first in his age category. Matt Hewer (1:04.14) was second in his age category and Rupert Pady (1:07.40) was first in his age category. Karen Eyre (1:13.17) was third female overall and first in her age category too whilst Eleanor Wood (1:20.57) was also first in her age category! Suzi Blackett (1:27.20) rounded off the winnings with third in her age category. There were 205 runners overall. Well done to all in AVR.
The latest results can be found here:-
https://www.teignbridgetrotters.co.uk/UserContent/doc/30057/2024 10 templer 10 results.pdf
Chester Marathon
Graham Newton got the chance to wear his England vest for the 5th time on Sunday when he ran the Chester Marathon as part of the England Athletics Masters team in the England v Wales marathon competition. The course starts at Chester Racecourse, then loops around the city before heading out into the countryside and over the border into Wales. Then it’s back to England and Chester again, finishing alongside the banks of the River Dee. Graham was competing against England and Wales finest, and did us proud to finish in 3:57:01, 3rd MV75.
Race to the Sea
Lousie Rawlins and Darrell Farley took part in this tough 50 km Ultra in Bournemouth which begins in Moors Valley Country Park and ends with plenty of sand in the last 12 km of the Bournemouth prom. The final kilometre involved running over sand dunes on very tired end-of-ultra legs. Despite this, both completed the run in impressive sub-7 hour times. Louise finished in 6 hours 3 mins – a 50 km PB – whilst Darrell finished in 6 hrs 52 mins. This is the third of Louise’s long runs this year and, so, understandably was her final one. There were 542 finishers overall, approximately half of whom were female. Louise was 275th, 81st female and Darrell was 390th overall.
Cardiff Half Marathon
The Principality Cardiff Half Marathon was the biggest yet, attracting a strong elite field and a Kenyan clean sweep. The highest ever number of internationals also took part this year – with over 3,000 entrants coming from overseas. The theme for the event this year was ‘A Race For Everyone’ and was an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the city. Matt Frost (1:19.13) was a very successful 225th out of a total of 22,407 elite and non-elite runners, running a hard-earned PB. Elliott Olds (2:04.31) crossed the finishing line of the infamous 13.1 mile road run too. Well done both!
Perth Running Festival 10k
Lesley Adams and Carol Austin finished their month in Australia with a few days in Perth, happily coinciding with the city’s Running Festival! With a marathon, half marathon, 10k and 4k on offer, both decided on the 10k option. Starting in the city, the route went along the Swan River followed by a mile long tunnel and then over the road bridge giving a great view of the new pedestrian bridge, the Matagarup bridge. After that it meandered uphill, past the Optus Stadium before returning to finish with half a lap inside on the track.
Carol finished in 53:40 which was enough to take first F60, from 41 and 116th female. She had a good first half in sub-25 but found the hills, heat and lack of training meant a tougher second half. Lesley also found the heat hard and finished in 1:15.01, eighth F65, out of 19. Nearly 3000 completed the 10k.
In a classic “six degrees of separation” moment after the race, Carol bumped into Sam and Mac MacDonald, former members of AVR who moved to Western Australia ten years ago. It’s a small world!
Happy Birthday parkrun!
It’s 5k, fun, friendly and free! This week marked 20 years of parkrun which, since its small start in Bushy Park in 2004, has gathered 10 million runners and over 900,000 volunteers all over the World. So far…. Research has shown that it has made people happier and healthier. How fantastic!
In Perth
Claisebrook Cove parkrun celebrated their 600th event as well as parkrun Global’s 20th anniversary with an international theme for the day. Flags were provided for some volunteers and Carol Austin was honoured to be the GB flag-bearer! A colourful morning with flags from 30 different countries and a record 491 finishers.
Worcester Pitchcroft parkrun
The Slade family (Liz, Jeremy and Molly dog) took part in Worcester parkrun which is run on a variety of surfaces around Worcester County Hall.
A full set of results can be found here:-
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/worcester/course/
On Home Turf
It was a windy one on Seaton sea front for the birthday celebrations. Luke Reed was first finisher in 18:06, third on age grade. Max Richardson was third overall in 18:48. Debbie Whiston was first female in 20:41. There were 260 finishers in total, 106 of them female. A big well done to Matt Chenery (26:38), Helen Boehm (31:18), and Liz Curley (31:55) for PBs in challenging conditions.
A full set of results can be found here:-
